Supporting Attention in Children with Epilepsy (SPACE): Pilot of a psychoeducational intervention

• Published in: Epilepsy & behavior 2023-01, Vol.138, p.108996-108996, Article 108996
• Main Authors: Svanström, Klara, Hallböök, Tove, Rezanova, Julia, Olsson, Ingrid, Carlén, Clara, Reilly, Colin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Attention; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - etiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - therapy; Child; COVID-19; Epilepsy; Epilepsy - therapy; Humans; Neurologi; Neurology; Parents - psychology; Pediatrics; Pediatrik; Psychoeducation; Quality of Life
• ISSN: 1525-5050; 1525-5069; 1525-5069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108996

•There are data on the impact of psychoeducational interventions on behavioral comorbidities in children with epilepsy.•We developed and piloted a novel intervention focused on attention difficulties in children with epilepsy.•Parent and child reported general and epilepsy-specific quality of life improved.•Executive functioning based on child ratings improved.•The intervention was feasible and acceptable. Children with epilepsy are at high risk for impairing symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially difficulties with attention. There is limited evidence regarding the use of psychological interventions for children with epilepsy and attention difficulties. We developed and piloted a novel psychoeducational intervention –Supporting Attention in Children with Epilepsy (SPACE). Eligible children with epilepsy (8–13 years) and difficulties with attention underwent a comprehensive psychological assessment and took part in a single-arm trial of the SPACE intervention. The first three sessions of SPACE took place in groups of 3–5 children and two psychologists. The final three sessions involved one psychologist meeting the child and parent(s). The child’s teacher joined for one of the final three sessions. The first group of participants participated in the intervention in person. Subsequent groups took part online due to COVID-19-related restrictions. Measures of ADHD -inattention symptoms (parent and teacher), executive functioning (child, parent, and teacher), and epilepsy-specific and general Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) (child and parent) were administered before and three months after completing the intervention. Twenty-seven children with epilepsy expressed an interest in participating. Sixteen children met eligibility criteria and participated in a single-arm pilot of the intervention. All 16 participants completed the intervention. Pre- and post-intervention data were available for 15 of the 16 children. Improvement in function was noted on all measures and reached statistical significance for child ratings of executive functioning (p = 0.030) and HRQOL (p = 0.043), and parent-rated child HRQOL (p